Conn. governor signs USA's toughest gun law

Apr. 4, 2013
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Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy signs legislation at the Capitol in Hartford on April 4, that includes new restrictions on weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines. Standing from left are Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Neil Heslin and Nicole Hockley. / Steven Senne, AP

by John Bacon and Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY

by John Bacon and Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy signed the nation's most far-reaching gun control bill Thursday, the ceremony in Hartford concluding several emotional weeks of debate and compromise since the state was rocked and the world stunned by the mass murder of children in Newtown.

"This is a profoundly emotional day for everyone in this room," Malloy, a Democrat, said moments before signing the bill. He added that he hoped the state's bipartisan effort would provide an example for Congress.

"When 92% of Americans agree that every gun sale should be subject to a background check, there is no excuse" not to make it federal law, Malloy said.

The Connecticut law adds more than 100 weapons to the state's ban on assault weapons, limits the capacity of ammo magazines and requires background checks for all weapon sales, including at gun shows.

It also establishes the nation's first statewide registry for people convicted of crimes involving dangerous weapons. Access to the registry would be available only to law enforcement.

Nicole Hockley's 6-year-old, Dylan, was among the 20 children who died when Adam Lanza began shooting inside Sandy Hook Elementary on Dec. 14. He also killed six adult staff before killing himself. Hockley said she appreciated the bipartisan political effort that led to the law.

"While I am grateful for the progress being made, I wish more than anything that I was just back at home waiting for both Dylan and Jake to come home from school," she said.

Hockley said her effort to press the law forward was one way to honor her son's life. "We want Newtown to be known not for tragedy, but for transformation," Hockley said.

The state House voted early Thursday in favor of the 139-page bill crafted by leaders from both major parties. The bill passed the Senate in a 26-10 vote Wednesday. Both bodies are Democrat-controlled.

The bill drew angry protests at the Capitol this week, with some gun rights supporters booing leading advocates of the bill. But in Newtown the bill and the bipartisan effort involved in its passage were warmly received.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman on Thursday thanked the families of all the victims for their leadership in the effort. "I've been amazed at the strength of the families since that day at Newtown," said Wyman, a Democrat. "Today won't make up for all that went on that day. But I have gained so much strength from these families, and I thank you."

Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra, the town's chief executive officer and a Republican, said she is "pleased for the most part" with the legislation.

"It includes action on some of the most critical elements in gun control and certainly signifies to the rest of the country - and maybe the world - that significant, meaningful change can come about through the political process," Llodra said.

The bill was drawn up by a bipartisan task force assembled after the Dec. 14 Newtown massacre.

"The tragedy in Newtown demands a powerful response, demands a response that transcends politics," said Senate President Donald Williams.

While Republican state Sen. John Kissel of Enfield acknowledged that "you just can't have a heart at all if you don't feel for the families and friends and neighbors of the victims of that Newtown massacre," he expressed concern that the law is ultimately harmful to lawful gun owners.

"When it comes to further regulations on guns and ammunition in one of the states that's touted as having, right now, some of the most tough gun laws in the United States of America, I think it goes one step too far," said Kissel, who opposed the bill.

But Wyman said the intent was not to take away anyone's rights. "The intent is simply to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them," she said.

Among the law's provisions are a requirement of eligibility certificates for the purchase of any rifle, shotgun or ammunition. Penalties for illegal possession and firearms trafficking would also be significantly increased.

In addition to the controls on guns and ammunition, the law sets safety standards for school buildings, allow mental health training for teachers and expand mental health research in the state.

The law does not ban large-capacity magazines outright, but grandfathers them in from Jan. 1, 2014. The magazines can be loaded only with 10 or fewer rounds, except in the owner's home or at a shooting range. Owners must register the magazines by year's end.

Thursday would have been the 7th birthday of Ana Marquez-Greene, who died at Sandy Hook. In an op-ed column appearing Thursday in USA TODAY, her parents, Jimmy Greene and Nelba Marquez-Greene, write:

"We don't need new laws to begin strengthening the bonds of family and community. We can be more giving, loving parents, friends and neighbors. We can offer love to those who are outcasts or alone. We can look to God and form an eternal relationship built from nothing but love.

"But we must do more. Today (Thursday), the governor of our home state of Connecticut will sign historic bipartisan legislation designed by legislators to make our communities safer. Their cooperative spirit should be a model for Congress, when the Senate considers legislation next week to reduce gun violence."